for elvin jones (16)

for elvin jones
(1927-- 1986)

u surely played with great subtlety
& transcendental strength, elevating
yr drums to a higher ground, to the
foreground, working yr ride & high
hats, overcoming the time keeper
with yr legato phrasings, yr improvised
lines & exploding accents playing at once
& against several metrically contrasting
rhythms each with irregularly shifting
emphasis independent of systolic-like
pulse – jonesing – yr dense, percussive
layers & counter rhythmic motifs, yr
wide array of timbres made u nonpareil
improviser & architect of upscale,
organically evolving rhythmic synergy.

© Joseph McNair;2010